Aluminium Profile Type Router - Initial questions

[CNCRY]

Yes, this is the L design I was suggesting, most of the L designs you'll see are based off my original design or someone else's who took from mine, it can be used both with or without Gantry sides and makes for a very stiff gantry with easy rail mounting etc. When mounting directly to the bearings just bear in mind access to the bearings bolts when deciding the bearing plate length. I've seen several designs that missed this little detail, which is why it's a good idea to draw it in cad to catch these things.



No closed loop steppers have an encoder on the back which goes to the matching drives. Also often closed loop steppers are 3 phase steppers with smaller step angle of 0.9 or 1.2 deg whereas typical stepper is 2 phase. with 1,8deg step. The difference being closed-loop are smoother.



Yes you can but I wouldn't recommended it because your better designing the whole thing in CAD to see if anything clashes.



All you really need to know is the motor frame size ie: NEMA 23 or 34. Now I've seen you mention Nema 34 is what you need.! This would be bad for a machine this size and mistake often made by new builders are thinking bigger is better, it's not.!
NEMA 34 motors require a much higher voltage to get the RPM needed for a router. A 4Nm NEMA 23 will perform much better than a 4Nm Nema 34 at the same voltage.




Yes, the 120x40 and 40x40 could be used for the frame with bracing.
Regards the Gantry then Bolting 60x60 onto the back won't do anything other than add weight. To get the stiffness and height you need one piece flat with the other bolted on top. So either buy a wider piece for the bottom and put the 90x90 on top or start again with 2 x 45 x 90.
I'm assuming that your using BR range profile because of the 90mm. This is good because when using 16mm screws then the BK End bearings mounting holes will line up with the 45mm slot spacing. If you used the IR with 40mm slot spacing then you would have to make plates or drill the profiles to bolt the bearings on.

It's these little things that catch you out and cause more work. Hence why drawing in CAD can save many wasted days and money.

Thanks Jazz - going to spend the next week or so learning fusion 360 and actually drawing the thing:) Probably makes sense to learn to use CAD alongside building a CNC machine!
The Nema motor - that was me being a muppet. I do mean Nema 23 4NM.
I guess the hybrid steppers are perhaps £50 more each with a driver package then a normal stepper and decent driver, something like https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Stepper-Mo...-Servo-Kit-4Nm. ?

RE: the profile, I spent a fair amount so far so would really want to avoid wasting . You are right its the BR as below with 45mm spacing, so will make mounting easier.



So do you mean
40x120L along the bottom with 90x90 on top. Notice the slot spacing on that is 40 so no way to direct join - but I guess joining plates at ends will do?



for BST automation shop, which as mentioned is probably not sending anything right now - something like
3 X Anti Backlash Ballscrew RM1610 -L1000mm with SFU1610 Ballnut + BK12 BF12 Support Unit + 1610 Nut Bracket + 6.35*10mm coupler shows as $141 + $107 shipping. $248 total. I've never order anything over a few £ from china - what import duty do people get hit with? Looks like VAT+2.5%?

Ryan